Have you every seen a Boxer that was good and fat.  Ok maybe a few heavy weights but when you get into any weight classes below that, these guys are ripped through the trunk.

Is it any wonder, when you look at how functional the art of punching occurs.

From a neuromuscular standpoint, punching uses the concept of reciprocal training to enhance punching power.  Simply stated, your body uses pulling to enhance pushing.  See our body often use the opposite side of the body moving the opposite way to enhance movement on the other side of the body.

This happens with running all the time.

As a result a few years ago I started to do band reciprocal training to enhance my arm action with sprinting.  This training helped but what  I got as bonues benefits were a great  reactive trunk workout and a alternative way to maximize my heart rate without running.

Seeing and trying is a must when it comes to reciprocal training.    Here are a few tips to doing effective reciprocal push – pull training.

1. Don’t always emphasize number of reps. Instead see how fast you can push each individual rep by reloading on each rep. You will see how I do this. Interestingly, I think quality reps burn even more calories than if you just try to knock out a lot of reps.

2. Also don’t keep your feet the same. Change it up on every round. Your trunk and hips will hate you but your back will love you. By the way if you are into hitting the heavy bag. Do this workout first and then go hit the bag. Look out because you may bring it down.

3. Make sure you stay athletic and let the system load. As I always say, learn to load and you are guaranteed to explode with incredible punching power.

4. No low back pain. This means you are not loading and instead are trying to muscle with your upper body. Your punch starts from the floor and must go through your hips…. Use them.

I hope you enjoy this weeks RBT Live 43 Episode and as always please leave thoughts and comments below.

Reactive Training.. Powerful Results

Dave “The Band Man” 

PS..  The Advance Total Fitness Package is the perfect package to learn about tons of other band training options to enhance reciprocal strength.  It  provides you all the bands you need as well the the training DVDs to get you strarted and the really good thing is you save about 30% automatically.